The Gospel of John. Resurrection Life? ~ Part 2 John 11:1-45

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1 The Gospel of John Resurrection Life? ~ Part 2 John 11:1-45 I T WAS SPRING, almost the end of the rainy season. In two weeks the fields near Jericho would be ready for the barley harvest; two weeks after that the lowlands would be ready, and in a month the higher fields and the mountains. Dreariness was nearly over. The sun was ruler of the day. The land was fat and rich, the crops abundant, the early green figs full on their branches. Shepherds were preparing to lead huge flocks of yearlings toward Jerusalem. Soon hundreds of thousands of sheep would be bought and sacrificed at the Passover. And those Jews who lived in foreign countries Parthia, Mesopotamia, Asia, Crete, Cyrene, Egypt, Arabia had already set out for Judea and Jerusalem and the feast. There was an energy in the weather, a heightened excitement in people generally. But for Martha of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus, there was no goodness in the season nor any kindness left in the world. She was sitting in the corner of their sleeping room, her bedding rumpled and soiled. She didn t care. Her poor hair was unbrushed. She was herself unwashed. The creases in her heavier flesh were damp from the motionless sweat of long sitting. Periodically, people looked in through the door. She didn t care what they saw. They asked if there was something they might do, bring her food or sit and weep with her. Martha didn t even respond. She didn t care. Ten or fifteen friends were sitting with her sister Mary in the large room. Sometimes they raised their voices and wailed. It irritated Martha, who kept her arms folded and made no sound at all. Lazarus had died in this room. On her pallet. He had lain sick for seven days. In seven days his force wasted away. He grew yellow and gaunt. The flesh of his face retracted from the mouth and nostrils and eye sockets as if someone were tightening it. Then he died. Four days ago he died. He died late in the evening, when the tiny family was alone. By Martha s desiring, Lazarus lay on her pallet all that night while she and Mary stayed in the same room, anointing him with a sweetsmelling oil, weeping and whispering together, trying to remember things. At dawn they announced the death, and the mourners gathered. Many, many people began to lament, tearing their garments, sobbing, sometimes uttering screams so shrill that Martha s jaw would snap shut. This is the reason why she had wanted the night with her brother and sister alone: quietness. Plain quietness. Certain women then wrapped Lazarus in long linen strips. Men brought a new bier. A procession formed at the door of their house good friends carrying the bier and the white corpse high at their shoulders then Mary and Martha went forth in front of a sad company, walking out of Bethany to the tombs some distance from the places where people lived. Three days ago, then, Lazarus was buried. And the mourners all came back to their house. And Martha took to her room, yesterday and today tomorrow, too, for all she cared. She had ceased to care about anything. His face. They had even wrapped her brother s face in the white cloth. He had gone faceless through the town to the crypt, and now he lay behind a stone with neither face nor feature of any sort, a rough-hewn slab of rock, the door forever shut. An elderly woman looked into Martha s room. She whispered something, then turned and started to go, but Martha became suddenly alert. Wait! she called. What did you say? I said that Jesus is coming. He s on the road from Jericho. 1 1 Wangerin Jr., Walter; The Book of God, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 2010, p

2 VII The Christ Revealed to Israel Chapter 2:1-12:50 S. The Resurrection of Lazarus Verses Prelude Verses Christ s Purpose Verses Christ s Promise Verses Mary s Perspective Verses Christ s Power Verses Epilogue Verse 45 Introduction: Before we rejoin Jesus and the disciples, let me remind us where we are. We are in the process of transitioning from Jesus public ministry to Passion Week. Now His teaching interactions are primarily with the disciples and friends. First though, just to provide a bit of context, lets go to Luke where we find an earlier interaction between Jesus, Martha and Mary. Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me. But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38 42 ESV). In keeping with the changed focus of His ministry, Jesus here primarily interacts with this family. He is informed about Lazarus illness. Martha and Mary sent for Him. One presumes this is because they knew He could heal their brother. But He responds strangely. Instead of leaving immediately He waits a couple of days. When questioned by the disciples regarding the delay Jesus informs them of Lazarus death. He makes it clear that this is consistent with His intent. And to add insult to injury, Jesus says He allowed this for their benefit. Finally Jesus is ready to go and the disciples express their concern over the risk of leaving Galilee, returning to Judea and the vicinity of the temple, because of the threat to Jesus life, and by extension - theirs. Here we saw something unexpected. It is Thomas who, believing they would die if they returned, states that they should go and die with Jesus. So it is doubting Thomas who is the one who shows true commitment to Jesus and a courage that is later found lacking in all of the disciples. 3. Christ s Promise: So we rejoin Jesus and the disciples who are on the road to Bethany. And, as we noted last time, when the arrive Lazarus has been dead and buried for four days. John presents one of his parenthetical statements. He makes a point of noting that Bethany is only two miles from Jerusalem and people had come from there to comfort the two sisters. ) 274 (

3 What is his point? It may be to let us, his readers, know that among the mourners would have been individuals who knew of Jesus and the controversy surrounding Him. The group may have included people from both the pro and anti-jesus camps. Certainly it included people who weren t His followers. Additionally, the family must have been prominent in Bethany for people who lived in Jerusalem to come to comfort the women. And therefore, the events to follow would have gotten back to the city, and the powers that be, very quickly. The two sisters hear that Jesus is arriving in the area and it is Martha who goes out to meet Him. She demonstrates a significant amount of faith in Him, noting that if He had come earlier He could have healed Lazarus. And at that moment there may have been grief mixed with anger at Jesus for not intervening. And that would have been natural. How do you respond to someone who expresses anger at God in the midst of their grief? If there was anger it quickly passes because now even in the midst of Martha s grief she believes that Jesus can do something. If He asks God, God will answer His request. I m not sure what she expected of Jesus, but it wasn t Jesus restoring her brother to life. Now I want to make a parenthetical comment here. I ve always used the word resurrected here, but in reading Dr. McGee s commentary, he made a good point as to why this wasn t a resurrection but a restoration to life. Let me quote him and you can take his argument for what it is worth. The Gospels tell us three incidents of Jesus raising the dead. There was the twelve year old girl who had just died. She was a juvenile. There was a young man, whose body was being carried to the cemetery. Then there was Lazarus, possibly a senior citizen, who had been dead four days and had been buried. They were all raised, from every age group. Allow me to be technical and state that these people were raised from the dead but were not resurrected. Rather, it was a restoration to life. Resurrection is this: It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:42 44). These people were raised from the dead, but none of them were given glorified bodies. They all faced death again. Christ is the firstfruits of them that sleep. His is the only true resurrection Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ s at his coming (1 Cor. 15:23). 2 In response to Martha s statement, Jesus come right out and says that Lazarus will rise again. He is referring to the miracle He is about to perform, but there was no way Martha would have understood that. Instead she expresses her faith in God knowing that her brother would be resurrected in the last day. In this she was consistent with the general view among the Jews and especially the Pharisees in contrast to the Sadducees. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all (Acts 23:8 ESV). And now we hear one of Jesus I AM statements. He states that He is the source of both resurrection and life. He presents the basic tenant of the Gospel. To believe in Him, to follow Him, means that will one will still have to face physical death, one will receive eternal life. 2 McGee, J. Vernon, John 2: The Gospels, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1991 ) 275 (

4 And so He asks Martha the question He asks of all, the only question that matters, Do you believe in Him? Or to put it another way Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:13 16 ESV) And like Peter, who was speaking for the disciples, Martha too states she believes in Jesus. She believes that He is the Christ, the Messiah. She states He is the Son of God. In stating this Martha maybe saying she recognizes both Christ s deity and that He is the one God has promises. To what extent she understands the full implications of who He is can t be said, but one doesn t have to understand all them to be saved. Notice that in all of these encounters Jesus states that salvation isn t about know who He is, it is about personal belief and acceptance of Him. Knowledge of Jesus doesn t save anyone. Personal acceptance of Him is what is necessary to salvation. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son (1 John 5:10 ESV). 4. Mary s Perspective: So Jesus promises Martha that Lazarus is to be restored. But now what about Mary? Martha runs home to tell her the Teacher wants to speak to her. I m not sure why Martha felt the need to talk to Mary in private. It maybe that Jesus wanted a moment with Mary in private away for the other mourners. This would have been consistent with His close relationship to the family. Mounce makes an interesting point regarding Martha s use of the term Teacher for Jesus. The reference to Jesus as Teacher is a bit unusual because rabbis would not teach women (cf. 4:27). It reflects the fact that Jesus spoke his message freely to all who would listen to women as well as to men. 3 Mary quickly runs out of the house. Hot on her heals are the mourners assuming she is headed to Lazarus grave site. When she gets to Jesus her words are the same as Martha s. If Jesus had come sooner He could have healed her brother. She is overwhelmed in her grief. The whole atmosphere is one of grief and she and those who have followed her are all weeping. Jesus is moved and troubled by the grief He sees around Him. We can t be sure exactly what was troubling Him. It may well have been grief to see the pain of the sisters, those He cared about. For even though He saw the big picture, even thought He knew He was going to restore Lazarus, He was nevertheless impacted by the suffering of those He loved. By the way, this is a reminder about how death affects even believers. Jesus knew He was going to restore Lazarus to life. We know that our saved loved ones are home with the Lord. 3 Mounce, Robert H., The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Vol. 10, John, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 2007, p ) 276 (

5 We can rejoice for them. But Jesus demonstrates that even knowing this the living grieve for the loss of their loved ones. Though we will see them again we miss them now. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13 ESV). Love never ends. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully (1 Corinthians 13:8, 12 ESV). It is time for Jesus to act. He asks where Lazarus is buried. He weeps. And the people see how much He cares for the family. But at the same time they know how much power He has and so they question why He doesn t intervene. They re about to find out. But, they ll have to wait until next week to do so. Conclusion: There are at least two major lessons to be taken from this chapter. One is Jesus as the resurrection and the life. But that s for next time. The other should be one of great comfort Last week I said these events weren t about Martha, Mary and Lazarus. They are about the big picture. And in one sense that s true. Lazarus provides the opportunity to show Jesus as God in all that means. But at the same time Jesus is impacted by their suffering. To often when we talk about the big picture, that God has a purpose for us and for all creation for His glory, we act as if we get lost in the shuffle. If you only look at verses 4 and 15 we could come to the conclusion that the sisters suffering, that Lazarus illness and death weren t all that important. The only thing that matters is it is for God s glory. God s Son will receive glory because of it. For your benefit, I am glad I was not there (John 11:4, 15 NIRV). But clearly this isn t the all that matters for when we read verses 33 and 35 we received a more balanced perspective. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. Jesus wept (John 11:33, 35 ESV). Jesus weeps for the lost and He weeps with and for us. He weeps for the lost because their blindness grieves Him. It is desire that none should be lost. But at the same time He knows the hearts of the fallen, that they will continue to reject Him and He weeps for them. We see this in His heart for Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it (Luke 13:34, 19:41 ESV). ) 277 (

6 Jesus also grieves for us. And from this passage we see He grieves with us. Just as a parent is impacted by the suffering or their child, so God is impacted by our suffering. Yes Jesus let Lazarus die. But this wasn t done callously. God allows what He does out of divine necessity. But at the same time He is moved by the impact it has on our lives. The Spirit comes alongside us to comfort and carry us through the trials of life. Additionally God can empathize with us because He too suffered great pain, rejection and trials. We have a loving Father who understands our pain and is there for us in the midst of it, not to keep us from it but to carry us through it. we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 ESV). So in this life we can be comforted now and comforted with the hope to come But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. (John 14:26 28, 1 4 ESV). We know we are not alone that the Lord walks with us And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20 ESV). And in the midst of the darkness we can remember these hopes because Jesus wept ) 278 (

7 Jesus Wept 4 Familiar figure comes And now He s three days late How could he take so long? Why did he hesitate? Two women question Him Both weeping as they came Completely different yet And still they re both the same Martha s grasping At some vague religious hope Endless anxiety She can barely cope But Mary s gasping with Her own hopeful fear Lazarus would not have died If you had been here Did Jesus weep For their disbelief Or did He cry Because his friend had died Took on himself All of their pain and fear Explain the mystery of His silent tears He stood beside the tomb Of his beloved friend He shouted out those words They could not comprehend Then rose the smiling corpse Familiar silhouette It was a moment that They never would forget Jesus wept that day Mysterious, silent tears The reason that He cried It never will be clear But there s one certain thing For now that we can say He had come to wipe All their tears away 4 Card, Michael, John: The Gospel of Wisdom, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 2014 ) 279 (

8 The Gospel of John Resurrection Life? ~ Part 2 John 11:1-45 VII The Christ Revealed to Israel Chapter 2:1-12:50 S. The Resurrection of Lazarus Verses Prelude Verses Christ s Purpose Verses Christ s Promise Verses Mary s Perspective Verses Christ s Power Verses Epilogue Verse 45 Introduction: (Luke 10:38 42) 3. Christ s Promise: (Acts 23:8; Matthew 16:13 16; 1 John 5:10)

9 4. Mary s Perspective: (1 Thessalonians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 13:8, 12) Conclusion: (John 11:4, 15; John 11:33, 35; Luke 13:34, 19:41; Romans 8:28; John 14:26 28, 1 4; Matthew 28:20) Personal Application: When you hear that God not only understands our pain but experientially emphasizes with us, how does that impact you? How can knowing this truth strengthen us in the times of trail? Prayer for the Week: Lord I praise You in that You are not distant from my suffering but are with me in the midst of it. In Jesus name, Amen.